My Story: I Think Of My Father And Mother, And My Heart Cries. I Never Saw Them After The Man Took Me To India

“All I remember of my childhood is herding sheep. 7 lots of 20. I think that makes 140 sheep. It was a hard life in the hills of Dolakha, but we never went hungry. I never saw school. So maybe that is why I am a simple person. I remember one day a relative had come to meet my father. In the evening father told me that I was to go with him. He said, ‘Soon, you will go with my friend to India, he has a house and you will live with him and go to school.’

After a few days I left for India. But I never saw school in India. I was made to work for the man – wash dishes and clothes, cook, clean up and take care of his family. I did not know much of the city so I would never leave the house. I was very afraid. Once in a while I would gather enough courage to venture out with great caution. And during one of these times, I met my husband. We fell in love and after some time we decided to get married. A few years later, we returned to his home town in Nepal. I went back to cutting grass and herding animals. We had kids, one son and a daughter. My daughter is almost 19 now.

And because money is never enough we have also started to sell fruits in the highway. We have managed to send them both to school. Their dreams are our dreams now. But you know Bhai, I still think about my childhood days. I think of my father and mother, and my heart cries. I never saw them after the man took me away to India. It is okay. Life goes on. But I remember herding those sheep till today, everything flashes in front of my eyes like it was yesterday. 7 lots of 20.”

My Story: After Thirty Years Of Our Marriage Life He Died. At His Last Moment He Said I Am The Best Wife

Partner Story

An Army Colonel Is Changing Lives Of Thousand Of People From North-East Using White Bullets

Retiring after spending 32 years in the Indian Army, Col Chris Rego is helping change the destinies of hundreds of children in conflict-affected North East India through his “White Bullets” initiative. With this initiative, he hopes to bring peace and progress to communities across North East India.

Luminouswanted to bring out the Colonel’s story to the world to inspire and motivate others as it believes that education is a strong tool to empower women. It is supporting Col Rego’s cause through an initiative called #Luminaries – the brave people who stand up for causes like girl child education and make a difference in the society.

Col Rego’s journey started over a decade ago in Manipur when a tribal woman knocked on his door pleading for support for her daughter’s education. Touched by the woman’s story, Col Rego and his wife delved into their savings and arranged for the money for the girl’s education. Two years down the line, the woman returned, this time with a small pumpkin and a shawl that she had knitted, and all the money she had borrowed. Moved and realizing that their money could make lives rather than earn paltry interest, Col and Mrs. Rego embarked on a journey to arrange for sponsorship of many more underprivileged children.

Retiring from the Army, Col Rego took over as CEO of Sunbird Trust, a not-for-profit organization which he founded in 2014. The Trust now sponsor over 1,000 children in 21 locations acrossNorth East India. The centre of Sunbird Trust’s activities is at beautiful Ijeirong, Manipur.

Recognizing Col Chris’s immense work, Luminousacknowledged him as their first Luminary. Through this, they hope to bring more power to his elbow in the notable work he is doing. The Luminousteam travelled to remote Ijeirong village and installed solar products. These solar products will help in providing power to the entire campus 24/7 for the very first time.

The Logical Indian salutes Col Christopher Rego for his untiring efforts and leadership. His efforts are already having a cascading effect on people from across India joining the “White Bullets” endeavour. Quite amazingly, education, in itself so empowering, is merely a means to PEACE. We hope the path illuminated by #Luminary Col Rego and his Sunbird Trust team acts as a beacon for others to follow.

If you too have stories of change, share them with us. And if you want to connect with Colonel Rego, click here.